Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide

Such diverse thinkers as Lao-Tze, Confucius, and U.S. Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have all pointed out that we need to be
able to tell the difference between real and assumed knowledge. The
systematic review is a scientific tool that can help with this
difficult task. It can help, for example, with appraising,
summarising, and communicating the results and implications of
otherwise unmanageable quantities of data.

This book, written by two highly-respected social scientists,
provides an overview of systematic literature review methods:

Outlining the rationale and methods of systematic
reviews;

Giving worked examples from social science and other
fields;

Applying the practice to all social science disciplines;

It requires no previous knowledge, but takes the reader through
the process stage by stage;

Drawing on examples from such diverse fields as psychology,
criminology, education, transport, social welfare, public health,
and housing and urban policy, among others.

Including detailed sections on assessing the quality of both
quantitative, and qualitative research; searching for evidence in
the social sciences;
meta-analytic and other methods of evidence synthesis; publication
bias; heterogeneity; and approaches to dissemination.

Mark Petticrew is an associate director of the MRC Social
and Public Health Sciences Unit at the University of Glasgow,
Co-ordinator of the ESRC Centre for Evidence-Based Public Health
Policy, and has written widely on systematic reviews.

Helen Roberts is a social scientist, and professor of
Child Health at City University, where she leads the Child Health
Research and Policy Unit. Until 2001 she was Head of R&D at
Barnardos. Her most recent book is What Works for Children
(ed) with Di McNeish and Tony Newman.

Requires no previous knowledge, but takes the reader through
the process stage by stage;

Draws on examples from such diverse fields as psychology,
criminology, education, transport, social welfare, public health,
and housing and urban policy, among others;

Includes detailed sections on assessing the quality of both
quantitative, and qualitative research; searching for evidence in
the social sciences;
meta-analytic and other methods of evidence synthesis; publication
bias; heterogeneity; and approaches to dissemination.

"The book is noteworthy in terms of its comprehensive coverage of issues and inclusive perspective with respect to study inclusion, study quality assessment and findings synthesis. The guide’s ecumenical’ perspective is certainly a strength inasmuch as different readers will find inspiration and interesting suggestions on how to conduct different types of SR." (Political Studies Review, May 2009)

"Anyone who wants to learn, or understand, about systematic
reviewing should beg, borrow, steal or buy a copy ofSystematic
Reviews in the Social Sciences. It's a real gold-mine of
information presented clearly and with great humour".
–Sir Michael Rawlins,Chairman, National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK

"This book is a veritable compendium – it richly combines
history and cutting edge debates in social policy, care and public
health with practical recommendations for high quality syntheses of
relevant research. I strongly recommend this to those in public
health and social care interested in understanding what works for
whom and why."
–Elizabeth Waters,Deakin University,
Australia

"The importance and value of systematic reviews for the social
sciences, policy making and professional practice is only now being
fully appreciated. This book by Petticrew and Roberts is a
comprehensive, thorough and very readable practical guide. It is a
must for all social scientists who want to know how to harness
existing social science evidence and identify what we know and what
we don't."
–Philip Davies, Government Social Research Unit, Cabinet
Office, UK

"Finding out what we really know is the fundamental challenge in
all attempts to improve life on planet earth. This book provides an
excellently readable introduction to the principles and practice of
systematic reviews - the major tool of a policy-relevant social
science. The authors have done a magnificent job in making a
convincing case for systematic reviews, in dispelling distracting
myths about such reviews as purely technical procedures limited to
'what works?' questions, and most of all in providing the social
science research and policy community with the invaluable resource
of a practical how-to-do it guide."–ProfessorAnn Oakley, Professor of Sociology &
Social Policy and Founding Director of Social Science Research
Unit, Institute of Education, University of London

"Engaging and relevant, this book is both an explanation of and
a practical guide to constructing and doing systematic reviews...
[it] has given me a route into understanding this area of research
and a basis to improve critical appraisal of others' work."
–Connie Smith, Senior Research Specialist, The Scottish
Parliament Information Centre. Social Research Association News,
August 2006

"Petticrew and Roberts – while providing a rigorous and
impeccably academic treatment of their subject – include
numerous lighter moments which help maintain the reader’s
interest...The authors are to be commended for tackling an
important topic in an informative yet enjoyable manner – this
book is highly recommended."
–Jeremy J. Walker, Foundation for the Sociology of Health
and Illness, June 2007

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